Neocons love to wrap themselves in the cloak of promoting “democracy” to justify their constant calls for war and destruction. Just last month, Max Boot explained this tough job that the neocons have assigned to themselves:
“Promoting democracy can be messy in the short-run and isn’t always possible in every circumstance but, in general, it is the best long-term bet for promoting American interests.”
Neocons sure know how to make it “messy”. That’s about it. The rest is all a ruse.
“Promoting democracy” is nothing more than cover, with the goal being U.S. control. Even when a democratic election takes place in a land that the U.S. has conquered, the elected leader must toe the line. If he doesn’t, he is removed. The most recent example being in Egypt, but there have been many others over the years like Algeria, Gaza, and Iran (where the CIA overthrew the elected Mohammad Mossadegh and installed the Shah in 1953).
The democracy cover is also used at home in the US as well. As long as there is no resistance from the American public to the empire building overseas, neocons are on board. But what happens when resistance appears?
Once again, Max Boot shows us after the American people were so thoroughly against attacking Syria:
“Have we now become a plebiscitary democracy where great questions of the day are to be decided based on public-opinion polls? What’s next? Are we going to give every American a Xbox-like device that he can use to instantly vote on every bill before Congress and every major decision on the president’s desk?”
My, how the democracy tune has changed…
Seems like Max is talking out of both sides of his mouth. Democracy is good when it means destroying a foreign nation and taking charge of its political process. But, at the same time, democracy is bad when the American people voice their opposition to more foreign destruction.
The bottom line? Democracy is whatever the neocons say it is. Their goal is total control. If wrapping themselves in the word “democracy” works, they’ll keep using it. If it doesn’t, then they’ll surely find another feel good word to act as a cover.
